Cranberry Almond Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients

4 cups quick cooking oats (not old fashioned)

2 cups crispy rice cereal (rice krispies)

1 cup dried cranberries (Craisins), chopped

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1/2 cup honey*

2/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

Cooking spray

Optional topping:

1/4 cup roasted almonds, chopped small

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips 

Directions

1. Mix together oats, crispy rice and dried cranberries in large bowl. Set aside.

2. In a pot on the stove, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat (but keep bubbling) and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat and pour in almond extract. Stir.

3. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased (cooking spray works well) 9x13 pan and press out evenly, packing mixture together.**

4. If making the topping....Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips and chopped almonds. Press chips and nuts down into the mixture with a rubber spatula. Cool on the counter to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. 

5. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.

Notes: *Spray measuring cup with cooking spray before adding honey. The honey will slide right out!

**I spray my hands with cooking spray and then, pack the mixture into the dish really well using my hands.

Adapted from No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Printed from mybiscuitsareburning.blogspot.com